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Helping clients navigate a minefield

The uncertainty over where tax rates will end up for wealthy Americans next year has many advisers and tax strategists recommending that clients take protective measures and other moves that could be reversed next year if looming tax increases are evaded.

Washington experts predict that it's likely to come down to the final days of the year before the nation knows whether Congress is going to extend the Bush-era cuts on income tax rates, capital gains and dividends, and continue other tax breaks that are set to expire at the end of the year.

The Tax Policy Center estimates that 90% of U.S. households would see taxes increase next year if all the elements of tax relief were allowed to run out and the new health care taxes were implemented.

In this worst-case scenario, the average family would see a $3,500 increase, while the wealthiest 20% would see an average $14,173 boost in taxes. The top 1% of earners would pay an extra $120,537.

In order to prevent this, Republicans and Democrats in Congress, as well as President Barack Obama, must agree on new rates. Given that Congress hasn't even been able to agree on increasing the thresholds for the alternative minimum tax — a concept with bipartisan support — some worry that a deal isn't in the cards.

“It's troubling that we're not seeing progress on things that fall into the less controversial policies,” said Suzanne Shier, director of wealth planning and tax strategy at Northern Trust Corp. “Even the nuts and bolts of tax policy aren't making it through the process.”

WORST-CASE SCENARIO

Without an agreement, income tax rates would increase, the phasing-out of personal exemptions would begin, the child tax credit would be cut in half, taxes on capital gains would rise to 20%, from 15%, and dividends again would be taxed as ordinary income. Many short-term tax provisions such as a deduction for qualified college expenses also would disappear.

“Since we don't know what will happen, it's best to be proactive,” said financial adviser Rick Rodgers, principal at Rodgers & Associates Ltd.

Mr. Rodgers, as well as many other advisers, recommends that clients harvest capital gains this year at today's 15% rate, because even if the rate doesn't reset to the scheduled 20%, capital gains rates for upper-income taxpayers will go up to 18.8% for 2013 because of the 3.8% health care tax that appears set to take effect no matter who wins the November elections.

Mr. Rodgers also recommends that some clients consider converting individual retirement accounts to Roth IRAs, a step that must be taken by Dec. 31 but can be undone as late as Oct. 15, 2013.

For anyone turning 701/2 and who will be required to take a minimum distribution from their IRA, regardless of whether they need the income or not, a Roth conversion may be an effective way to avoid some or all of that mandatory distribution by reducing the value of the original IRA and the size of the required distribution.

Mr. Rodgers also said people who itemize should try to accelerate medical expenses this year because the amount that someone must pay before medical expenses can be deducted will rise next year to 10% of adjusted gross income, from 7.5%.

A potential increase in capital gains taxes makes it worthwhile to consider selling concentrated stock positions, businesses, real estate or other taxable assets, said Andrew Friedman, a principal at The Washington Update LLC, which provides political and legislative analysis for investors and advisers.

He also recommends structuring businesses as S corporations, which don't have to pay self-employment taxes (which also rise next year under the health care bill), and considering oil and gas investments that have “very favorable” tax preferences.

“The tax planning of old is going to be turned on its head this year,” Mr. Graper said. “For the remainder of this year, throw out the window all the usual advice and do the opposite.”

BEST-CASE SCENARIO

Under the best-case tax scenario, Congress would extend the Bush-era tax cuts, agree to an AMT patch, reinstate full deductions and continue the payroll tax break for another year.

“If I had to make a prediction today, it's that there will be some extension on a temporary basis for about six months to a year so there will be time to work things out in a firm and thoughtful manner,” said financial adviser Bill Losey, who runs an eponymous retirement planning firm.

In this case, everything would remain pretty much the same.

However, that doesn't mean there's nothing for clients to act on, according to advisers.

CONSIDER ALL FACTORS

Lance Drucker, president of Drucker Financial Group, said the best advisers make investment decisions based not merely on tax code but on economic and business viability contentions.

“Potential for growth and preservation of principal will always trump tax benefits,” Mr. Drucker said. “We make plans based on what things are right now, but we make those plans using a pencil.”

Most advisers expect Congress to hammer out an agreement that limits the increase in the dividend tax rate so it will come out somewhere around the capital gains rate, which is scheduled to go to 20%. That's still an advantageous rate for wealthy Americans, compared with owing a tax on dividends equal to their regular income tax rates.

Many also believe there will be a compromise on extending Bush tax cuts on earned income for lower- and middle-class families. Mr. Obama originally said he'd support continuing the cuts for those couples earning $250,000 or less and individuals earning $200,000 or less, though the administration has talked more recently about a $1 million cutoff.

“I think we will have some sort of relief, but it won't be for all taxpayers,” Ms. Shier said. “High-income taxpayers continue to be at risk.”

Advisers find clients don't seem too worried about the fiscal cliff, some doubting that Congress will let it happen and others thinking the nation faces even scarier economic worries from the European debt crisis, as well as the unrest in the Middle East.

Clients are willing to take limited steps to ward off potential harm from these increases.

“They're willing to take action as long as it's not a big thing,” Mr. Rodgers said. “There's lots of resistance to big change.”